The RTÉ documentary delves into the harrowing and deeply personal story of 12-year-old Patrick McDonagh, exploring the challenges faced by the community and emphasising the devastating impact on those left behind.
As viewers tuned in, they were met with a sensitive portrayal of Patrick's parents, Michelle and Pat, as they grappled with the profound loss of their son.
The documentary not only offered a glimpse into the McDonagh family's grief but also highlighted broader issues faced by the Traveller community.
READ MORE: President Michael D Higgins calls for powerful documentary to be shown in schools and watched by all
During the documentary, Patrick's mother, Michelle Ward, shared poignant memories of her son, revealing a heartbreaking aspect of his struggle.
She recounted: "He deleted everything off his phone before he passed away. Deleted his Snapchat. His Tiktok. I couldn't figure out why he deleted all of them, you know? We didn't know what he was going through until the end, until people came and told us, little friends of Patrick's came up and told us bits and pieces like we didn’t know."
In their quest for understanding and closure, Patrick's parents sifted through old school copies and books, desperately searching for any messages from Patrick. Michelle expressed her longing, saying: "I check everywhere, to see if I can find one message, anything."
The heart-wrenching day that altered the McDonagh family's life forever was recounted by Michelle.
She described a seemingly ordinary day, asking Patrick what he wanted to eat, only to be met with a chilling scream later.
Michelle recalled: "I heard a scream. I never heard before. I knew something was wrong, and I didn't know what. Leona was just screaming. The more we did CPR, the colder his body was getting. They told us we lost him."
The documentary also touched on Patrick's hidden pain, with his parents discovering the extent of bullying he endured. Patrick's father referred to it as "mental torture," shedding light on the silent struggles faced by young individuals.
Viewers took to social media platforms to express their reactions to the powerful documentary.
One viewer emotionally remarked: "My heart is broke watching this, he was only a baby."
Another emphasised the importance of the documentary, stating: "#Patrick is just such a desperately heartbreaking watch but so important…his whole life ahead of him…Beannacht leis."
Others highlighted the poignant moments captured in the film, such as Patrick's parents tracing the deterioration of his mental health in his school copybooks adding: "The poignancy of Patrick’s parents tracing the deterioration of his mental health in his school copybooks. ‘Was he crying on the inside?’"
The overarching sentiment among viewers was a mix of immense sadness, heartbreak for the family, and acknowledgment of the documentary's powerful impact.
One viewer encapsulated the collective sentiment, stating: "A devastating and powerful watch. My heart is broken for that beautiful boy’s family and for all who have lost to suicide."
Important contact numbers and information: National Office for Suicide Prevention
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